Unexpected

[11] True Colors?

Finally posted the next chapter! Sorry all for such a long delay again. Hope you like it! :)

Clara.

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Somehow, I managed to get through the week. Thankfully I didn’t have any more panic attacks, but there were a few crying sessions in the bathroom. When the final bell rang on Friday I let out a breath of relief and stood up gratefully from my table in art class. I looked over at Ryan as I pulled my backpack on and caught a glimpse of the drawing he had been doing.

    “Why are you even in this class?” I asked him with a frown. The picture was beautiful; the details were so precise and graceful. He clearly had a natural talent and I’d been wondering all week why he was wasting his time here.

    Ryan slipped the notebook he’d just closed into his bag and zipped it up. He shrugged, looking up at me.

    “I don’t know. I just wanted to try and explore some new techniques. Plus, I needed another class and this was the easiest to pass.”

    “So the truth comes out,” I laughed, rolling my eyes. “Seriously though, you’re amazing. Have you ever thought of submitting something to a gallery?”

    “They’re just doodles,” Ryan shrugged again and I stared at him incredulously.

    If his drawings were just “doodles” then I had no hope of ever passing this class. He always seemed so cocky about things; it was odd that he’d just brushed off my compliant so offhandedly. Deciding to let the subject go, I just mimicked his shrug and headed for the door.

    “Hey, are you coming tonight?”

    The way he asked the question seemed odd, almost like for some reason he was hoping the answer would be no. His expression was anxious and he nipped at the corner of his lip.

    “What’s tonight?”

    I wasn’t exactly in on any kind of social circle yet, but Ryan seemed to have forgotten that.

    “Drew Sutherland’s back to school party.”

    The face I made wasn’t entirely voluntary. I’d never liked parties and at home had avoided them as much as possible. I had been to maybe three in my entire high school life so far, and I didn’t plan on attending any more. The loud, chaotic atmosphere didn’t do much for me and I always found myself hiding in a corner whenever I did go. Shaking my head, I looked up at Ryan.

    “No, definitely not. Parties are not my scene.”

   “I didn’t think so, but figured I’d ask anyway.” Ryan suddenly seemed more relaxed, like my negative answer reassured him. Why would he care if I went to a party? Were there more rumors flying around that I didn’t know about?

    “Well I’ll see you Monday. Have a good weekend, Kodi!”

    I waved back to Ryan before he jogged off in the direction of his friends. Shaking my head in bewilderment, I headed for my locker. Every time I thought I was starting to understand Ryan, he did something weird that made me confused all over again. I had just finished at my locker when someone grabbed me from behind, making me scream. At the sound of Katie’s laugh relief filled me and I let out a low, dry laugh.

    “Don’t do that!” I scowled, slapping her arm.

    Katie just grinned, practically bouncing up and down. I could tell she was excited about something and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what it was.